System for monitoring the quality of service in a communication network

ABSTRACT

Monitoring system includes a set of peripheral monitoring agents including processing functionalities housed in SIMS. Such processing functionalities, depending at least on operating conditions of each terminal and its respective SIMS, are able to adaptively establish a distribution of measuring functionalities included in the peripheral monitoring agents between the terminal itself (for example storing them in the related memory or multimedia card) and its respective SIM.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a national phase application based onPCT/IB2004/004308, filed Dec. 30, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to the techniques for monitoring theQuality of Service or QoS. In particular, the invention deals with asystem for monitoring the quality of service in a communication network.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

With the outcome and development of telecommunications networks of themobile type (GSM, GPRS, UMTS, WLAN), the variety and number of voice,data, multimedia services that a service provider/operator is able tooffer to its customers is constantly growing.

For a service provider/operator, being able to obtain an accurate andreliable monitoring of the Quality of Service (or QoS) level offered tousers is thereby more and more a major need.

Examining next some contributions in the art, U.S. Pat. No. 6,434,364discloses a communication system supporting test “agents” (MTSA) thatare software modules run on mobile stations in order to put them in a“test” mode. In a “test” mode, each mobile station is configuredaccording to parameters defined by a MTSA, to allow for systemperformance measurements. Each MTSA represents an addressable and activecomputer program that can observe and start activities in its scenario,can communicate with other agents and can be transported across datanetworks that are configured to take performance measurement.

EP 1304831 discloses a monitoring agent for monitoring, transferring anddistributing specific channel QoS data in a mobile packet communicationnetwork. The monitoring agent has three functions: the first one ispre-processing and transforming QoS data into a form that is adapted toapplications, the second one is transmitting data in a network and thethird one is distributing QoS data to user applications. The monitoringagent is placed at least on the user equipment, in the RNC (RadioNetwork Controller) and in the SSGN (Serving GPRS Support Node) and GGSN(GPRS Gateway Support Node).

Moreover, US 2004/0058652 discloses a method and a system for monitoringthe quality of service associated to a wireless network including atleast one mobile device and a fixed transceiver, connected via radio tothe mobile device. On the network, mobile devices perform measures ofMQoS (Quality of Experience) coefficients that are processed in order todetermine the quality of service perceived by mobile devices themselves.Processed data are provided via radio to the fixed transceiver. The MQoSmonitoring system is divided into two components, a client component anda server component. The server component resides on a server that can bepart of, or coupled to the transceiver. The client component of themonitoring system can be integrated in one or more mobile devices or canbe implemented as a software integrated in the operating system of a SIMor USIM, or can be a J2ME application, a JavaCard application and thelike.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The Applicant has analyzed the problem of performing the QoS monitoringin a way that can be adapted to the conditions in which terminalsconnected to the communication network and the related SIMs operate.

The Applicant has also analyzed the problem of performing the QoSmonitoring independently from the type of terminal used by the user.

It is suitable to specify that in the following description the term“SIM” refers to a SIM-card or a USIM-card or a Smartcard or moregenerally to any card that is removable from the terminal and is adaptedto allow identifying and/or authenticating of a user in a network and isequipped with at least one microprocessor, comprising at least one dataprocessing logic (CPU) and one memory, and an interface towards suitabledevelopment environments to allow loading new applications in themicroprocessor memory.

Moreover, in the following description, the term “operating conditions”,referred to each terminal and its respective SIM, means the set ofoperating conditions of the terminal and its respective SIM that cancomprise: terminal memory usage, SIM memory usage, terminal CPUprocessing load, SIM CPU processing load, data transfer speed betweenterminal and respective SIM (that is a performance limit affecting thecommunication capability, defined by the standards, between terminal andSIM itself).

The invention solves the above-described technical problem through amonitoring system comprising a set of peripheral monitoring agentsincluding processing functionalities housed on the SIMs. Such processingfunctionalities, depending at least on the operating conditions of eachterminal and its respective SIM, are able to adaptively establish adistribution of measuring functionalities included in peripheralmonitoring agents between the terminal itself (for example storing themin the respective memory or multimedia card) and the respective SIM.

The peripheral monitoring agents also comprise initialisationfunctionalities that are housed on the SIMs in order to make the QoSmonitoring independent from the type of terminal used by the user.

More specifically, the system for monitoring the quality of service in acommunication network comprising at least one terminal (TM) and at leastone SIM adapted to be housed in said terminal (TM), comprises at leastone monitoring agent (MEA1, MEA2, MEM, CA1) including processingfunctionalities (MEM) housed on said SIM and measuring functionalities(MEA1, MEA2), said processing functionalities (MEM) being configured inorder to adaptively distributing said measuring functionalities (MEA1,MEA2) between said terminal (TM) and said SIM depending at least ondetected operating conditions of said terminal (TM) and said SIM.

Another aspect of the present invention deals with a method formonitoring the quality of service in a communication network comprisingat least one terminal (TM) and at least one SIM adapted to be housed insaid terminal (TM), said method comprising the steps of:

-   -   arranging at least one monitoring agent (MEA1, MEA2, MEM, CA1)        including processing functionalities (MEM) housed on said SIM        and measuring functionalities (MEA1, MEA2);    -   configuring said processing functionalities (MEM) for adaptively        distributing said measuring functionalities (MEA1, MEA2) between        said terminal (TM) and said SIM depending at least on detected        operating conditions of said terminal (TM) and said SIM.

Another aspect of the present invention deals with a communicationnetwork comprising said monitoring system.

A further aspect of the present invention refers to an informationproduct that can be loaded in the memory of at least one electronicprocessor and comprising portions of software code for implementing thearchitecture and/or the process according to the invention when theproduct is run on an electronic processor. The reference to at least oneelectronic processor is clearly aimed to point out the chance of usingthe arrangement according to the invention at decentralised level.

Further preferred aspects of the present invention are disclosed in thedependent claims and in the present description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ENCLOSED DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, merely as a non-limiting example,with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the monitoring systemaccording to the invention;

FIGS. 2 a, 2 b are diagrams showing the flow of interactions for usingthe monitoring system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the steps of activating and performing ameasure with following measure storing in a collecting centre within themonitoring system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is still another functional block diagram showing the possibletypes of use of the monitoring system in FIG. 1, seen on the terminalside.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a possible embodiment of the QoS monitoring system 1 in acommunication network according to the invention.

It is suitable to specify that, in the following description, the termuser equipment TE will mean the set of terminal TM and its respectiveSIM.

With reference to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the monitoring system1 can comprise, at user equipment TE level, a peripheral monitoringagent (MEA1, MEA2, MEM, CA1) comprising at least:

-   -   one measuring agent (MEA1, MEA2) (Measurement Executor Agent);    -   one processing agent MEM (Measurement Elaboration Module); and    -   one communicating agent CA1 (Communication Agent).

The operating functionalities of the peripheral monitoring agent (MEA1,MEA2, MEM, CA1) are distributed between terminal TM and its respectiveSIM as will be shown in the following description.

It can be noted that the structure of the peripheral monitoring agent(MEA1, MEA2, MEM, CA1) shown with reference to the user equipment TE canbe reproduced at a level of many user equipment TE and, virtually, at alevel of all user equipment TE connected to the communication network.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the monitoring system 1also comprises a measure management subsystem (Terminal QualityMeasurement Scheduler or TQMS) that can include:

-   -   a scheduling module S of measuring campaigns;    -   a communicating agent CA2; and    -   an interface A1 for interfacing with a user U (for example a        service provider or a mobile telephone operator or an external        program equipped with functionalities adapted to interact with        the monitoring system 1).

The monitoring system 1 can also comprise a measure data collectionmanaging subsystem (Terminal Data Collector Manager or TDCM) that, inturn, can include:

-   -   a, data base DB;    -   a processing centre EC;    -   a collecting centre CCC;    -   a communicating agent CA3; and    -   an interface A2 for interfacing between the monitoring system 1        and possible external systems SE (for example measuring data        processing systems, reporting systems, systems adapted to        generate alarms for user U, etc.)

Communication between the above-described monitoring system 1 componentsis ensured by the communicating agents CA1, CA2 and CA3.

Moreover, the communicating agent CA2 installed in the measuremanagement subsystem TQMS can perform the function of coordinating nodebetween user equipment TE and measuring data collecting managementsubsystem TDCM, though being provided, above all for measuring dataexchange, a direct communication between these two units. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, data lines and signalling lines between thevarious communicating agents are respectively represented withcontinuous lines and dashed lines.

It is suitable to specify that, in the following description, referencewill be made to networks and mobile services, simply due to the factthat they are the most stringent environment due to the limitedavailability of resources, both at user equipment TE level (in terms ofCPU usage and memory usage of terminals TM and their respective SIMs),and at connection level, where the channel throughput is limited by theradio access. The monitoring system 1 can anyway be extended also toservices (mainly data) that use fixed (“wireline”) networks or servicesthat use mixed fixed (“wireline”) and mobile (“wireless”) networks withuser equipment TE, being for example cellular phones or PC, connected tothe network both via radio and through cables.

Herein below the operating functionalities of the different elementsmaking the monitoring system 1 are described in more detail.

Measure Management Subsystem TQMS

The scheduling module S is arranged for configuring the measuringcampaigns. For such purpose, the user U, through interface A1, interactswith the measure management subsystem TQMS defining the identifyingcharacteristics of the measuring campaign to be performed. Thisoperation can comprise many steps, for example:

-   -   identifying user equipment TE subjected to measuring campaign,        for example depending on information characteristics such as:        agreed-upon contractual profile, type of supported service,        location, belonging geographical area;    -   defining the measures to be performed and the QoS indicators to        be detected (compatible with previously-identified user        equipment TE);    -   defining characteristics of the measures to be performed        (frequency of measures to be performed, measure length,        inter-relationship between measures, etc.);

In order to activate the measuring campaign, the scheduling module S canperform the following operations:

1) continuous search, for the whole length of the measuring campaign, ofuser equipment TE that comply with the previously-described identifyingcharacteristics;

2) for each located user equipment TE, the scheduling module S:

-   -   records the user equipment TE on a data base placed inside it        (with signalling towards the user U);    -   creates the measuring profile comprising, for example, type of        measure to be performed, QoS indicators to be detected,        interrelationships between measures, measures performing        frequency, measure length;    -   transfers the measuring profile to the peripheral monitoring        agent (MEA1, MEA2, MEM, CA1) being present on user equipment TE;    -   activates the measuring campaign on user equipment TE; and    -   sends information about involved user equipment TE and list of        expected measures to measure data collection managing subsystem        TDCM together with identifying characteristics of the measuring        campaign;

3) locating user equipment TE that are subjected to changes inidentifying characteristics required by the measuring campaign, makingthem complying therewith. For these user equipment TE the schedulingmodule S:

-   -   deactivates the measuring campaign;    -   decides whether the measuring profile has to be deleted or not;        and    -   informs the measure data collection managing subsystem TDCM.

Moreover, in order to establish the end of the measuring campaign, thescheduling module S identifies for example when a time-out elapses. Uponthis event, for every user equipment TE that has been involved in themeasuring campaign, the scheduling module S:

-   -   deactivates the measuring campaign;    -   decides whether the measuring profile has to be deleted or not;        and    -   informs the measure data collection managing subsystem TDCM        about the end of the measuring campaign.

Peripheral Monitoring Agent (MEA1, MEA2, MEM, CA1)

As shown in FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention,the operating functionalities of the peripheral monitoring agent (MEA1,MEA2, MEM, CA1) are distributed as follows:

-   -   the measuring agent (MEA1, MEA2) is partly housed on the        terminal TM (measuring agent MEA1) and partly on the SIM        (measuring agent MEA2);    -   the processing agent MEM is housed on the SIM; and    -   the communicating agent CA1 is housed on the SIM.

More in detail, the communicating agent CA1, that can be placed on theSIM or when activating the SIM itself, through the serviceprovider/operator, or in following steps, can have the followingoperating functionalities:

-   -   detecting the measuring profile coming from the scheduling        module S;    -   regularly informing the scheduling module S about its own        operating status;    -   requesting the measure managing subsystem TQMS to activate the        downloading procedure of the processing agent MEM on the SIM        and/or taking care of its update should it be already used;    -   activating (initialisation functionalities) the processing agent        MEM;    -   receiving data from the processing agent MEM; and    -   sending data to the measure data collection managing subsystem        TDCM.

According to the present invention, the processing agent MEM is able todetect the operating conditions of the terminal TM and its respectiveSIM and at least depending on them, to distributed the measuringfunctionalities of the measuring agents MEAL and MEA2. The operatingfunctionalities of the processing agent MEM can comprise, for example:

-   -   activating the measuring agent MEAL on the terminal TM and the        measuring agent MEA2 on the SIM. As shown in FIGS. 2 a, 2 b, as        regards the measuring agent MEA1, the activating procedure can        comprise the following steps:    -   sending a message for activating the measuring agent MEA1 to the        operating system of the terminal TM (301 a, 301 b);    -   receiving (FIG. 2 a) a positive confirmation message (302 a)        from the operating system of terminal TM if the operating system        detects the presence of the measuring agent MEAL on the terminal        TM. The operating system of the terminal TM then takes care of        activating the measuring agent MEAL (303 a);

or:

-   -   receiving (FIG. 2 b) a message that it is impossible to satisfy        the request from the operating system of the terminal TM (302        b), if the operating system does not detect the presence of the        measuring agent MEA1 on the terminal TM; and sending a message        of requesting to activate the procedure for downloading the        measuring agent MEAL from the measure management subsystem TQMS        to the operating system of the terminal TM (303 b). The        operating system of the terminal TM sends this request to the        measure management subsystem TQMS (304 b). The measure        management subsystem TQMS downloads the measuring agent MEAL        (305 b) and sends it to the operating system of the terminal TM        that takes care of activating it (306 b);    -   driving additional measuring campaigns with respect to those        controlled by the scheduling module S dealing, for example, with        operating conditions of SIM, of terminal TM and of radio channel        (herein below defined as “additional campaigns”). These        additional campaigns are performed with the same modes described        in the following items for the measuring campaigns driven by the        scheduling module S;    -   detecting, by using the communicating agent CA1, the measuring        profiles sent by the scheduling module S;    -   depending on the results obtained by the additional campaigns        and the measuring profile sent by the scheduling module S,        establishing the distribution of the measuring functionalities        of the measuring agents MEA1, MEA2 according to the following        steps (a-e):

a) classifying the types of measures required by the scheduling moduleS, for example discriminating those linked to events that dynamicallychange in time such as: terminal TM position, keys pressed on terminalTM, service session steps, etc., from those referred to static data suchas: user identification, terminal type, service session origin anddestination, etc.);

b) assigning a priority to each measure to be performed;

c) locating different operating modes according to which the requiredmeasures can be performed (for example, reducing the measuring samplenumbers, sending the measures one by one or all together, locallystoring the measures waiting for their transmission when there are radioavailability conditions, etc.);

d) evaluating the effect of each operating mode according to which therequired measures can be performed in terms of necessary resources forrealising it (for example use of terminal TM and/or SIM memory, use ofterminal TM and/or SIM CPU, radio resources usage if the communicationnetwork is a mobile communication network mobile, etc.);

e) choosing, depending on previous evaluations, how to distribute themeasuring functionalities of the measuring agents MEA1, MEA2;

-   -   storing the measures received from the measuring agents MEA1 and        MEA2 and sending them to the measure data collection managing        subsystem TDCM through the communicating agent CA1;    -   informing the scheduling module S (at regular intervals) about        status/position of user equipment TE; and    -   signalling malfunction events of user equipment TE.

The measuring agent MEA1, MEA2 performs the measures and, according tothe invention, is configured every time by the processing agent MEM.

For example, in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1, themeasuring agent (MEA1, MEA2) comprises the measuring agent MEA1, thatthe processing agent MEM has established to place on the terminal TM,whose operating functionalities can for example include the executionand transmission to the processing agent MEM:

-   -   of QoS measures according to the modes required by the        scheduling module S; and    -   of context data representing the TM operating conditions,        namely:        -   battery level;        -   CPU use memory;        -   memory use level;        -   etc.

According to the embodiment in FIG. 1, the measuring agent (MEA1, MEA2)comprises the measuring agent MEA2, that the processing agent MEM hasestablished to place on the SIM, whose operating functionalities can forexample include the execution and transmission to the processing agentMEM:

-   -   of QoS data of services implemented on the SIM according to the        modes required by the scheduling module S;    -   of context data representing the SIM operating conditions,        namely:        -   CPU use level;        -   memory use level;        -   etc.    -   of measures of the radio-mobile type, such as,    -   for example: power, radio quality, handover;    -   of some data (for example: IMSI, IMEI, etc.) stored on the SIM        itself (for example in data base DB2 as shown in FIG. 1); and    -   of user equipment TE location information (cell identifier,        etc.);    -   etc.

For executing the measuring campaign, it is necessary that theprocessing agent MEM coordinates the joint action of measuring agentsMEA1 and MEA2 so that each one of them performs the measures for whichit is responsible as previously established.

Interactions between peripheral agents being present on terminal TM andon its respective SIM are realised through the communication interfaceA3, realised for example by using similar mechanisms to the onedescribed in ETSI TS 102.223 specification.

It can be noted that, for performing the measures related to the serviceapplication session, it can be useful to have measuring agents availablealso on application servers (namely servers involved in providing theservice) for the various types of services.

Preferably, every measuring agent MEAL can be interfaced with:

-   -   terminal TM operating system;    -   the portion of application residing on terminal TM through which        the user accesses the service (this interfacing occurs through a        software module designated as SW1 in FIG. 1); and    -   the processing agent MEM.

Preferably, every measuring agent MEA2 can be interfaced with:

-   -   SIM operating system and data stored thereon (data base DB2 in        FIG. 1);    -   the portion of application residing on SIM, through which the        user accesses the service (this interfacing occurs through a        software module designated as SW2 in FIG. 1); and    -   the processing agent MEM.

Moreover, the peripheral monitoring agent (MEA1, MEA2, MEM, CA1) caninteract, through interfaces of the API (Application ProgrammingInterface) type, with other processes that can be:

-   -   standard of the programming language being used (in the        herein-described example, Java);    -   specifics of platform being used for managing processes and for        communicating between peripheral agents (MEA1, MEA2, MEM, CA1)        and centralised agents (communication agents CA2 and CA3);    -   specifics of terminal TM operating system (for example,        Symbian™, Microsoft™, etc.); and    -   specifics of SIM operating system.

Preferably, API interfaces or interfacing with applications (for examplefor interfacing with other environments such as JavaPhone, JavaCardetc.) are accessible by the peripheral monitoring agent (MEA1, MEA2,MEM, CA1) through a general API that releases the development ofperipheral agents from operating and development environment.

Preferably, for managing/configuring the functionalities included in theperipheral monitoring agent (MEA1, MEA2, MEM, CA1) and communicatingamong the various functionalities, the Jade (JAVA Agent DevelopmentFramework, such as described, for example, in “A communication protocolfor agents on hand held devices” AAMAS 2002, July 15-16, Bologna, Italy)technology is used, that allows developing distributed applications ofthe peer-to-peer type, developed in JAVA and complying with the FIPAstandard; The technology, that can be used both within a fixed network(JAVA J2EE and J2SE) and within a mobile network (Personal Java andJ2ME) and the related characteristics (white pages, yellow pages) areused in managing the agents. This choice is not constraining for theherein-described platform operation, since Jade could be replaced byother communication middleware between agents. Communication betweenagents can use different transport techniques that can be selectedaccording to the detected operating conditions (for example if it is notpossible to establish a TCP/IP connection on GPRS since it is notavailable, the platform can decide to use the transport on SMS).Preferably, for exchanging messages between agents, the TCP/IP or UDP/IPtransport will be used. This capability of making interactions betweenplatform modules possible occurs even when, though there is anelectromagnetic coverage, the user is not able to access the service(for example in case of a UMTS network, a user could not be able toaccess a high-bit-rate video streaming service and, simultaneously, theterminal agents can, by choosing a suitable transport, send and receivedata for and to other platform modules).

Measure Data Collection Managing Subsystem TDCM

The operating functionalities of the measure data collection managingsubsystem TDCM are those of its component elements, as described in thefollowing description.

In particular, the collecting centre CCC:

-   -   collects measure data, sent as information records, by user        equipment TE involved in the measuring campaign through the        communicating agents CA1;    -   verifies the formal correctness of received information records        (possible errors introduced by transport, lack of a measure,        partial measure); and:    -   in case of errors, requests the user equipment TE (through the        communicating agent CA1 placed on the SIM) to transmit again the        measure;    -   in a positive case (absence of errors), sends measure-related        data to the processing centre EC.

This latter one, in the initial measuring campaign step, receives theconfiguration commands from the scheduling module S. In this way, theprocessing centre EC knows:

-   -   identifying characteristics of the measuring campaign (length,        measure types, QoS levels to be detected, etc.);    -   list of user equipment TE that are potentially involved in the        measuring campaign; and    -   updates of user equipment TE status.

When processing, the processing centre EC reads the context data (namelymemory usage in involved terminals and SIMs, CPU usage, etc.) of everymeasure received by the collecting centre CCC for:

-   -   associating them to the performed measuring campaign and        verifying the real chance of associating to the identification        characteristics of the measuring campaign itself;    -   recognising and checking the sequential (time) order of        information records being sent from user equipment TE and,        possibly, recognising the last elementary measure for the        performed measuring campaign;    -   sending a notification to user U when one of the following        events a), b) occurs:

a) update of the number of measures sent by every involved userequipment TE;

b) possible errors detected on peripheral agents (for example the elapseof a time-out dealing with the recording of an event by the peripheralagent);

-   -   recognising the measuring campaign end (in a synchronised way        with the scheduling module S).

When a measuring campaign ends, the measure data collection managingsubsystem TDCM applies a criterion for accepting or not accepting theinformation records received from user equipment TE (for example thosereceived after the measuring campaign end and dealing with eventsstarted before the end of the campaign itself, or those that are stillincomplete), then processing the correct information records with themodes provided by the campaign and storing them in data base DB.

Herein below, the operating steps involving the herein-describedmonitoring system 1 are described in more detail.

Initially, it is assumed that, upon a subscription by a user, of thecontract with a service provider/operator in order to exploit theservice provided by the monitoring system 1, the user SIM is configuredby placing the communicating agent CA1 thereon. This operation will makethe user equipment TE, belonging to the user, known to the measuremanagement subsystem TQMS for locating the user equipment TE itself.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the communicatingagent CA1 can be placed on the user SIM directly by the serviceprovider/operator before his subscription. In this way, the serviceprovider/operator is not compelled to operate on the terminal TM, butonly on the SIM (that he himself distributes).

Afterwards, by referring to FIG. 3, it is assumed that the monitoringsystem 1 is interested in the following operations:

-   -   user U interacts (step 100 in FIG. 3) with the scheduling module        S defining the identifying characteristics of the measuring        campaign, whose status is notified to user U in a step 102;    -   the scheduling module S identifies the potential user equipment        TE interested in the measuring campaign; the result of this        operation can be notified to user U that can decide whether        going on with the measuring campaign by expressing his consent        in a step 104;    -   the scheduling module S creates the adequate measuring profiles        for every user equipment TE involved in the measuring campaign;        the measuring profile is associated with a timing criterion when        sending measures by user equipment TE to avoid possible        communication network overloads;    -   in a step 106, the measuring profile created by the scheduling        module S is transferred to each processing agent MEM placed on        SIMs of user equipment TE that are potentially involved in the        measure (this procedure is detected by the processing agent MEM,        if the user equipment TE on which it is placed is active at that        time, in a step 108); the operation result is notified in a step        110 to user U: user U can then decide whether the measuring        campaign is actually performed (being able to choose whether the        measuring campaign has to be performed on equipment TE that are        active at the beginning or also on potential user equipment TE,        with the possible management of current communications);    -   in case of assent by user U (expressed in a step 112), the        scheduling module S automatically starts the measuring campaign        on board user equipment TE configured through a command of the        multicast type (the synchronisation function between scheduling        module S, peripheral agents and measure data collection managing        subsystem TDCM, provided by the GPS (Global Positioning System)        system, could be used, when possible, also preparing the list of        potentially involved user equipment TE and the list of expected        measures from every-equipment and sending these information, in        steps designated as 114 and 116 in FIG. 3, to the measure data        collection managing subsystem TDCM together with measuring        campaign identification characteristics;    -   during the measuring campaign, the scheduling module S keeps        track of the status of user equipment TE that are potentially        involved in the measuring campaign itself; these information are        used (a-c):        -   a) in order to activate and/or re-activate (step 118) the            measuring campaign on user equipment TE that will be            activated later that the start of the measuring campaign            itself;        -   b) in order to suspend or deactivate the measuring campaign            on user equipment TE that, during the measuring campaign            itself, are subjected to changes in parameters and/or major            characteristics;        -   c) when processing the measures, at the end of the measuring            campaign, to point out possible inconsistencies of collected            measure data with respect to scheduled data (not performed            measures, partial measures, measures suspended due to user            equipment TE unavailability or overload, measures with            errors, lack of reception when collecting);    -   upon activating, by the scheduling module S, the measuring        campaign (step 118), the processing agent MEM distributes the        measuring functionalities (measuring agents MEA1, MEA2) between        terminal TM and respective SIM depending on terminal TM        operating conditions, its respective SIM and also the network;    -   the measuring agents MEA1, MEA2 perform the provided measures,        store them in information records and send the to the        communicating agent CA1;    -   the communicating agent CA1 sends to the measure data collection        managing subsystem TDCM (in a step 120) the information records        obtained from measuring agents MEA1, MEA2 that comprise, in        addition to elementary measures and/or computer parameters, also        context and operating data associated with the measures (namely:        memory and CPU usage of terminal TM and its respective SIM,        radio power, radio quality etc.);    -   the measure data collection managing subsystem TDCM receives the        information records sent by the communicating agent CA1 and        verifies their correctness (detecting possible errors inserted        by transport, lack of measure, partial measure) feeling back        towards user equipment TE in a step 122; in addition to having a        reception confirmation (ACK) characteristic, the feedback can        take the measure data collection managing subsystem TDCM to        require the user equipment TE, in case of error, the measure        re-transmission (through the error managing function, possibly        providing for the storage, for a certain period, on user        equipment TE, of performed measures in order to be able to        transmit them back afterwards);    -   the measure data collection managing subsystem TDCM, recognising        the list of user equipment TE potentially involved in the        measuring campaign, and the measuring campaign identifying        characteristics (namely, limit length, services to be monitored,        etc.), reads the context data of every measure for (a-c):        -   a) verifying the real chance of association to adopted            identifying characteristics and, in a positive case, storing            their elementary measure and context data in data base DB;        -   b) recognising and checking the sequential (time) order of            information records, and the last elementary measure            performed for such specific measuring campaign;        -   c) sending a notification to user U when one of the            following events (i-iii) occurs:        -   i) update of the number of measures sent by every involved            user equipment TE;        -   ii) possible errors detected on peripheral agents (for            example, the elapse of a time-out and the lack of recording            of an event by a peripheral agent);        -   iii) end of the measuring campaign;    -   when the measuring campaign ends, the measure data collection        managing subsystem TDCM applies a criterion to decide whether        accepting or not the detected measure data received after the        end of the measuring campaign dealing with events started before        the campaign conclusion;    -   at the end of a campaign, in a step 124, the measure management        subsystem TQMS deactivates the measuring agents MEA1 and MEA2        (through the communicating agent CA1 and the processing agent        MEM) and the measure data collection managing subsystem TDCM        processes the corrected information records with modes provided        by the campaign itself, computes quality indexes and stores them        in a second data base that is logically different from the one        where elementary measures are stored.

The diagram in FIG. 4 shows as an example some possible use scenarios ofthe monitoring system 1.

The use scenarios of the monitoring system 1 that are hereinspecifically pointed out are first of all related to QoS monitoring,shown as 200 in the diagram in FIG. 4. Such set of function typicallycomprises:

-   -   measures 202 performed by user equipment TE (for example        evaluating radio connection quality), taking also into account        the data stored on SIM;    -   measures 204 of end-to-end performance (user equipment TE side        or server side) as well driven by the service provider/operator        (204 a) as driven by user (204 b), this latter one through a        suitable software application installed on its own user        equipment TE);    -   measures 206 of user equipment TE/server performance, also here        as well driven by the service provider/operator (206 a) as        driven by user (206 b);    -   check 208 of agreements of the SLA type underwritten at user        level and service provider/operator level, also in this case as        well driven by the service provider/operator (208 a) as driven        by user (208 b) (through a user interaction with a suitable        software application installed on its own user equipment on TE).

The use of the monitoring system 1 is then provided for troubleshootingfunctions, namely for locating possible QoS degrading causes within theuser equipment TE.

This set of functions, globally designated as 210, essentially comprisesthe decoding and signalling of malfunctions (user equipment TE sideand/or application server side).

The diagram in FIG. 4 expressly points out that such functions can bedecided both by the service provider/operator (block 212), and by theuser U (block 214).

Always in the diagram in FIG. 4, the blocks 220 and 230 finally pointout the possible application of the monitoring system 1 to thediagnostics of internal user equipment TE resources and functions andthe optimised configuration and management of resources (for example inreal time) from a quality of service (QoS) point of view.

For example with reference to block 220, in case of multimedia servicemalfunction, the video component can be removed in order to deliver atleast the audio component with an acceptable quality.

With reference to block 230, it is possible for example to provide theuser with an automatic update of software applications installed on itsequipment when a now obsolete version of these applications does notallow obtaining an optimum QoS level.

Advantageously, the monitoring system according to the invention is forexample able to:

-   -   contextually and globally measure, in a radio-mobile        environment, depending on calls, quality parameters and        operating conditions of the connection in the service access        point nearest to user perception (therefore on terminal TM        and/or respective SIM and at application level);    -   measure not only the quality session parameters (availability,        accessibility, connection maintenance, delays, errors, losses on        information contents), but also to contextually detect the        operating conditions of radio channel (power, BER etc.), of        connection (throughput), of terminal (CPU load, buffer and        memory use, etc.), with which such session has been obtained;    -   associate to the measure also user equipment TE location data;    -   segment the quality degrade between network/user equipment        TE/application server;    -   transparently perform measures, on user equipment TE, either in        a real traffic on current communication, or by activating        measures in an artificial traffic (on sessions activated by the        service provider/operator);    -   dynamically manage (also in remote) both user equipment TE on        which measures has to be performed, and measures profile        (parameters, measure modes),    -   perform measures both by the service provider/operator and by        the user;    -   automatically manage download, processing and local storage        modes (on terminal TM or on its respective SIM) of measures,        depending on the processing load of terminal TM, its respective        SIM and radio channels;    -   obtain independency of monitoring system from network        technology,    -   choosing the most adequate transport mode, among the available        ones (that minimises the impact on the communication network        load) for realising communications among monitoring system        agents.

Moreover, the chance of making one or more operating functionalities ofperipheral monitoring agents reside on SIMs allows both correlating themeasures performed by the monitoring system with user-related data andwith subscribed service profile to which the user can access (forexample for associating the delivered QoS level with the subscribedSLA), and the chance of accessing to already available measures on theSIM (for example, measures related to mobile telephone network, such asbit error rate and power measures).

Moreover, the monitoring system 1 is suitable for performing the QoSmonitoring also in evolved multi-standard environments (for exampleUMTS/W-LAN) in which a smart multi-mode terminal is able tosimultaneously use many access systems for transporting information(communication formed of many parallel links on many radio systems).

Still further, the herein-described monitoring system for end-to-end QoSmonitoring for services supported by radio-mobile user equipment can beused, through an ad hoc interface API (Application Program Interface)development, with operating and development environments of fixednetworks (LAN, MAN and WAN) and wireless networks (W-LAN). Moreover,such system can operate in multi-standard environments on boardmulti-mode terminals.

Obviously, notwithstanding the principle of the invention, theconstructive parts and the embodiments can be widely changed withrespect to what has been described and shown, without thereby departingfrom the scope of the present invention, as defined by the attachedclaims.

1. A system for monitoring the quality of service in a communicationnetwork comprising: at least one terminal; at least one SIM housed insaid terminal; and at least one monitoring agent comprising: processingfunctionalities housed in said SIM; and measuring functionalitiesdistributed between said terminal and said SIM for performing measures,said processing functionalities being configured for: identifyingoperation modes according to which the measures are performed, whereineach operation mode includes at least one of a measuring mode specifyingmeasuring sample numbers, a transmission mode specifying a manner therespective measure is transmitted between said terminal and said SIM, ora storage mode specifying a location where the respective measure isstored; determining resources required for performing the measures usingthe respective operation modes; driving the measuring functionalitieslocated on said terminal and said SIM to detect operating conditions ofsaid terminal and said SIM, respectively; and adaptively distributingsaid measuring functionalities between said terminal and said SIMdepending at least on the resources required for performing the measuresand the detected operating conditions of said terminal and said SIM. 2.The system according to claim 1, wherein said operating conditionscomprise one or more of the following operating conditions of saidterminal and said SIM: memory usage of said terminal and said SIM; CPUprocessing load of said terminal and said SIM; and data transfer ratebetween said terminal and said SIM.
 3. The system according to claim 1,wherein said monitoring agent comprises initialisation functionalitieshoused in said SIM.
 4. The system according to claim 1, comprising atleast one measure managing subsystem comprising at least one schedulingmodule for scheduling measuring campaigns, said measuring campaignsinvolving at least one set of terminals and respective SIM housing saidmonitoring agent.
 5. The system according to claim 4, wherein saidscheduling module is configured for determining identifyingcharacteristics of a measuring campaign by performing one or more of thesteps of: identifying a set of terminals and respective SIMs to beinvolved in said measuring campaign depending on one or more informationcharacteristics among: contractual profile of the user owning theterminal and SIM, type of services supported by terminal and SIM,terminal position, and geographical area to which the terminal belongs;defining the measures to be performed and the quality of service indexesto be detected; and defining the characteristics of the measures to beperformed.
 6. The system according to claim 5, wherein saidcharacteristics of measures to be performed comprise one or more of thefollowing parameters: frequency of measure execution, measure length,and interrelationships between measures.
 7. The system according toclaim 6, wherein, in order to activate said measuring campaign, saidscheduling module performs one or more of the steps of: searching theset of terminals and respective SIMS complying with said identifyingcharacteristics of said measuring campaign; recording said set ofterminals and respective SIMS on a data base included in said schedulingmodule; creating a measuring profile; sending said measuring profile tosaid monitoring agent; activating said measuring campaign on the set ofterminals, and respective SIMs recorded in said data base included insaid scheduling module; and sending information about said set ofterminals and respective SIMs and a list of measures to be performed tosaid measure data collection managing subsystem.
 8. The system accordingto claim 7, wherein said measuring profile comprises one or more of thefollowing information: type of measures to be performed, quality ofservice indicators to be detected, interrelationships among measures,frequency of measures execution, and measure length.
 9. The systemaccording to claim 8, wherein said processing functionalities distributesaid measuring functionalities depending at least on said measuringprofile.
 10. The system according to claim 7, wherein said schedulingmodule is configured for performing one or more of the steps of:locating among said set of terminals and respective SIMs subjected tosaid measuring campaign those that are subjected to a change ofidentifying characteristics of said measuring campaign; and deactivatingsaid measuring campaign for these terminals and respective SIMs.
 11. Thesystem according to claim 4, wherein said measure managing subsystemcomprises an interface for interfacing with a user.
 12. The systemaccording to claim 1 comprising a measure data collection managingsubsystem, said subsystem comprising at least one of a data base forstoring measure data and a processing centre for processing measuredata.
 13. The system according to claim 12, wherein said monitoringagent comprises communication functionalities configured for managingthe transfer of measure results toward said measure data collectionmanaging subsystem.
 14. The system according to claim 13, wherein saidmeasure data collection managing subsystem comprises at least onecommunication functionality subjected to be interfaced with saidcommunication functionality included in said monitoring agent.
 15. Thesystem according to claim 14, wherein said communication functionalityincluded in said measure managing subsystem is subjected to beinterfaced with a communication functionality included in said measuredata collection managing subsystem.
 16. The system according to claim15, wherein said communication functionality included in said measuredata collection managing subsystem is configured for communicating withsaid communication functionality included in said monitoring agent. 17.The system according to claim 12, wherein said measure data collectionmanaging subsystem comprises a respective interface for interfacingbetween said monitoring system and external systems.
 18. A communicationnetwork comprising a monitoring system according to claim
 1. 19. Amethod for monitoring the quality of service in a communication networkcomprising at least one terminal and at least one SIM housed in saidterminal, comprising the steps of: providing at least one monitoringagent comprising processing functionalities housed in said SIM andmeasuring functionalities distributed between said terminal and said SIMfor performing measures; identifying operation modes according to whichthe measures are performed, wherein each operation mode includes atleast one of a measuring mode specifying measuring sample numbers, atransmission mode specifying a manner the respective measure istransmitted between said terminal and said SIM, or a storage modespecifying a location where the respective measure is stored;determining resources required for performing the measures using therespective operation modes; driving the measuring functionalitieslocated on said terminal and said SIM to detect operating conditions ofsaid terminal and said SIM, respectively; and adaptively distributingsaid measuring functionalities between said terminal and said SIMdepending at least on the resources required for performing the measuresand the detected operating conditions of said terminal and said SIM. 20.A non-transitory computer readable medium encoded with a computerprogram product loaded in the memory of at least one electronicprocessor, and comprising portions of software code for implementing themethod according to claim 19.